The Deposition, plate thirteen from Stations of the Cross c. 1748 - 1749

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo created this etching, titled "The Deposition," which portrays a poignant scene from the Stations of the Cross. Here, we witness the removal of Christ’s body from the cross, a moment laden with grief. Note the ladder, an ancient symbol of ascent but here, tragically repurposed. The gesture of Mary cradling her son echoes the ancient motif of the Pietà, resonating across time and cultures. This maternal embrace, seen in depictions of goddesses and mothers throughout history, speaks to universal themes of sorrow and protection. Such imagery taps into our collective memory, stirring primal emotions. The Pietà, as seen here, isn't merely a depiction of grief; it's a cultural touchstone that has resurfaced repeatedly, each time coloured by new historical and psychological nuances, powerfully engaging us on a subconscious level. It’s a motif that perpetually evolves, eternally imprinted in our collective consciousness.